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Rapids this afternoon announced the addition of forward, Jack McBean from the LA Galaxy, story here. Not exactly a reason for excitement, but we wont be too quick to judge just yet.

McBean spent the 2017 season making 18 appearances, scoring 2 goals and an assist the Galaxy first team and 7 appearances scoring one goal for Galaxy II in USL. McBean was named to the USL All League First Team in 2016 with 17 appearances (15 starts), 15 goals and 2 assists.

If there was anyone on this team last season who epitomizes the slogan “#keepfighting” it was Jermaine Jones. And not just with the Rapids, but with any team he has been with. Hopefully someone next season can pick up and emulate the intensity and the fight on the field the way Jones does. Thank you Jermaine for everything you gave to the club and the fans.

EXTRA TIME – In former Rapids news, Toronto FC keeper Clint Irwin was selected by the Atlanta United FC in today’s expansion draft. Then later traded back to Toronto FC.

The GOOD – Offensively the Rapids outshot the Galaxy 14-9, with 10 of those shots coming from open play and 8 of those were on target. Defensively the Rapids held LA to one shot on target for more than two-thirds of the game. Frustrated and kept Robbie Keene in check for most of the night. The Rapids didnt play for the point, like I thought they would late in the game, that is called progress, though it’s still very early in the season. MacMath gets a clean sheet. Marco Pappa off the bench with a beautiful shot in stoppage time to kill the Galaxy hopes.

The BAD – Sloppy for a good part of the game by both sides. The Rapids didnt score more than 1 goal, they created plenty of chances, but Rowe in goal for the Galaxy was superb until the 95th minute.

The Rapids who some were thought to go with adding some depth to their midfield, in the draft today instead went with strengthening their back line somewhat with two defenders in the first two rounds. Colorado held the 19th pick to start the day and ended up trading up with Columbus to gain the 14th pick, That pick was Swedish born Axel Sjoberg, 6’7″ out of Marquette University.

The Rapids also held the 26th pick overall and in the second round selected Joseph Greenspan out of the U.S. Naval Academy. How soon we get to see Greenspan take the pitch will be decided by the Naval Academy, Greenspan has his commitment to the military that could be done while he pursues a professional soccer career, think David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs or even later.

Welcome to both Axel Sjoberg and Joseph Greenspan!

Rapids also made another surprise move today by trading allocation money and rank to the Los Angeles Galaxy for midfielder Marcelo Sarvas. Sarvas a fan favorite in LA comes over to the Rapids as a key contributor to the Galaxy success winning MLS Cup titles with the Galaxy in 2012 and 2014. Sarvas started 80 of the 88 appearances he made for the Galaxy, even 3 goals and 11 assists in 2014. This makes up for the loss of Jose Mari this season as he wanted to return to Spain to continue his career.

Welcome Marcelo Sarvas!

Not sure how I missed this one but Chris Bianchi reported earlier in the week that the Rapids have signed a midfielder out of Argentina by the name of Lucas Pittinari. Pittinari, 23, played 5 years in the top flight in Argentine Primera Division with Club Atletico Belgrano and comes over on a one year loan with the option to purchase. Full story here. To translate the page if using Google Chrome, right click and highlight “Translate to English”.

Welcome Lucas Pittinari!

Overall the Rapids I would say had a very productive draft day, acquiring two quality defenders and later trading for an experienced midfielder in Sarvas. My biggest concern is whether or not Pablo and his staff can develop the new talent (Sjoberg and Greenspan) and put together a solid gameplan week after week for the team to have much more success in 2015. Only time will tell as training camps start next week.

Rounds 3 and 4 of the MLS Super Draft take place next Tuesday via phone conference.